FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids | MLS Match Preview

FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids meet in a crucial match for both clubs in the Western Conference when they face off Saturday evening at Toyota Stadium. The teams go into the game separated by just three points in the division, both currently holding onto a playoff position. The Rapids have been shut out in back-to-back games following their 1-0 loss at home against arch-rivals Real Salt Lake last weekend. FC Dallas have put together a seven-game undefeated run following their 1-0 win at Chivas USA last weekend.

The Rapids opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Drew Moor nodded a cross back across the face of goal and Deshorn Brown reacted quickest to it, chipping FC Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez from inside the six-yard box.

The home side were level just eight minutes later. Jair Benitez hammered a free kick straight out from goal, just beyond the restraining arc. The ball took a deflection off FCD striker Andres Escobar and wrong-footed Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin on its way to goal.

FCD took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Fabian Castillo saw his dribbling run halted just before reaching the Colorado penalty area, but Loyd drove the loose ball goalward, again leaving Irwin little chance as it deflected off Chris Klute on its way to hitting the back of the net.

The Rapids again leveled terms in the 52nd minute when a corner kick by Dillon Powers was powerfully headed on goal by Jose Mari. Benitez nearly nodded the ball off the line, but the ball still crashed into the top of the goal.

That set the stage for a brilliant match-winner. Castillo won the ball near the center circle, beat three Rapids defenders directly off the dribble and then took a quick shot from the left side of the penalty area for the 62nd-minute winner.

FC Dallas stretched their undefeated streak to seven matches, defeating Chivas USA 1-0 on Sunday evening at StubHub Center. FC Dallas sit in a tie for third place in the Western Conference with 33 points from 22 games.

LAST MATCH

The game's lone goal came minutes into the second half. Fabian Castillo cut in a rolling ball from the left side of the area and Tesho Akindele was there to tap home for the eventual winner.

FCD goalkeeper Raul Fernandez was credited with four saves in keeping the clean sheet.

FCD head coach Oscar Pareja made three changes to the team that had a 2-2 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. Je-Vaughn Watson, Fabian Castillo and Andres Escobar came into the team, in place of Stephen Keel, Walker Zimmerman and Michel.

FC Dallas extended their undefeated streak to seven games, the club’s longest since going nine games without a defeat March 17-May 11 of last year.

“The team is playing great. We know our chance and we know what happens if we miss it. But at this point getting three points away, we appreciate and it says a lot of the team,” said FCD head coach Oscar Pareja. “Getting players back from injuries and players who are just ending their suspension; all those things make us be very offensive.”

Rookie Tesho Akindele scored his third goal in the last four matches, and now has four goals for the season. He has started the last 10 games in attack.

“That’s what he knows how to do,” head coach Oscar Pareja said. “The kid is growing. He knows that in the box, he scores. That is what he does.”

Said Akindele: “I thought it wasn’t the best game that we’ve played but everybody just worked hard and we ended getting the result and that’s the kind of things that you need during the season.”

Following a four-match ban, Fabian Castillo returned to the FC Dallas lineup, playing 90 minutes in a wide midfield role. He contributed his third assist of the season.

“It took him a little bit to get in his rhythm but Fabian is Fabian,” Pareja said. “He made some great movements in the second half. Having him back is fantastic.”

Mauro Diaz made his fourth consecutive substitute appearance, coming on at halftime for a second consecutive match, after missing 10 consecutive matches through injury.

“The first half we couldn’t find the rhythm. We lost control in the middle, but that was fixed in the second half with the subs we made with Mauro [Diaz] and bringing Fabian [Castillo] on the left,” Pareja said. “The boys did an excellent job. We won a game that we needed to win.”

COLORADO RAPIDS

The Colorado Rapids suffered their second consecutive loss, falling 1-0 to Real Salt Lake on Saturday evening at at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids are in fifth place in the Western Conference with 30 points from 22 games.

LAST MATCH

RSL hit the opener after just 14 minutes. Chris Wingert's run down the left side opened up plenty of space for a hard-charging Javier Morales, and he fired into the bottom corner from just inside the penalty box past Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin.

Real goalkeeper Nick Rimando made six saves, perhaps the best saved for last, as Deshorn Brown’s desperation blast required a terrific diving save for Rimando's 112th career shutout, equaling the all-time MLS record.

Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni made six changes to the team that fell 3-0 to New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Only goalkeeper Clint Irwin, defenders Chris Klute, Drew Moor and Marvell Wynne, and midfielder Nick LaBrocca kept their places.

The Rapids have lost back-to-back matches for the second time this season, the first since May 11-17. They have also gone 196 minutes without scoring a goal, shut out at the attacking end in back-to-back matches for the first time this year.

“I think experienced teams, and teams that have been together for a while, will put those performances together in consecutive games. We’re still building, we’re still trying to do that,” said Mastroeni. “I think the effort was tremendous. I’m not upset, I’m not disappointed, that’s life.”

After a two-match absence after he was forced off through injury after 24 minutes on July 18, Deshorn Brown returned to the Rapids attack.

“Especially early on, I thought he was causing them grief over the top, and giving them something to think about. We were able to find Vicente [Sánchez] underneath, and a lot of nice things in the first half,” said Mastroeni. “Everyone contributed today. I think it was a really good and solid effort. The only thing lacking was the result, and that’s one thing I’ve always said you can’t control.”

José Mari made his start since June 7, the first meeting with FC Dallas, missing the last seven matches with an ankle injury. He played 73 minutes in a deep-lying central midfield role.

“He’s not 90 [minutes ready yet]. I was quite impressed with his ability to go out and actually contribute the way he did. I think he’s been missed, not to take anything away from the guys that have been filling in,” said Mastroeni. “His experience was valuable out there tonight. I think he controlled the rhythm of the game in the middle. It was good to have him out there.”

For the third time in the last five games, the Rapids conceded a goal in the opening half-hour of the match. They have allowed just four goals total this season in the opening 30 minutes.

“The mindset was to go out and start playing from the beginning. I think it took us getting scored on to really open up,” Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “It’s a level of comfort. Players on the ball have to want to have it, and have to want to play. For whatever reason, after we got scored on everyone woke up and wanted to get on the ball.”

“I think they just started brighter than us,” Rapids captain Drew Moor said. “They won a couple tackles down our right-hand side and it allowed them some space in the box and [Javier Morales] had a good finish. After that it was a completely different game. This is one of those where you can’t wait to get punched in the mouth before you start going.”